The average cost of Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Davenport is approximately $2,150 per year. For those with the resources to afford the full tuition, the benefits of a Christ-centered education are well worth the investment.

But what about those families who want to send their children to Catholic school, but simply don't have the income to pay the full cost of tuition?

That's where a few programs that offer financial assistance are available to help.

Our mission, as a non-profit corporation, governed by a volunteer board, is to advocate for and advance the excellence of Catholic education at Assumption High School, and in the Catholic elementary schools of Scott County.

The Family Tuition Plan (FTP) strives to make it possible for every interested family to educate their children in Scott County Catholic schools regardless of financial barriers.

While elementary tuition for one child is within the reach of most families, many families struggle to pay full tuition at times when they have two or three elementary students and/or one or more students at Assumption High School. Parents sometimes forego a Catholic education for their children after analyzing family budgets and fearing it may become difficult to manage tuition during peak years. The FTP is designed to assist families at times when tuition costs are high in relationship to total family income.

Our Catholic schools offer outstanding academic and faith development programs, so we are especially excited about the FTP, a program funded through the Embracing Our Future campaign. Families that feel challenged to enroll or keep their children in Scott County Catholic schools are encouraged to fill out a Family Tuition Plan application. All financial information is held in strict confidence. Completed forms may be returned to P.O. Box 1597, Davenport, IA 52809-1597.

Our mission as a public charity is to lessen the financial barriers of low and middle income families pursuing K-12 Catholic school education options within Scott County, Iowa

The Educational Opportunities Act, signed into law on June 2, 2006, allows Iowa taxpayers contributing to School Tuition Organizations within the state to claim a 65% direct tax credit against Iowa income taxes. The new law received strong bi-partisan support in both houses of the Iowa legislature, where it passed the Iowa Senate by a vote of 49-1, and the Iowa House by a vote of 75-19.

Under the new law, two or more accredited non-public schools join together to form a school tuition organization, receiving contributions that provide tuition assistance to students living in families with income of less than three times the federal poverty level.

The five Scott County K-12 Catholic schools (All Saints Catholic, Assumption High School, John F. Kennedy, Our Lady of Lourdes, and St. Paul the Apostle) have combined to make up the Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization.

Passage of the Educational Opportunities Act provides a great opportunity to fund the tuition assistance needs of local Catholic school students. With broad based support, the five year objectives of Embracing Our Future have now become far more sustainable.

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School Tuition Organization of Southeast Iowa (STO):

A charitable organization representing two or more accredited nonpublic schools that receives voluntary cash contributions from Iowa taxpayers and allocates those funds in tuition grants to Iowa school children.  In turn, STO grants allow families who otherwise are unable to afford an accredited, nonpublic K-12 school, to choose a school they feel best suits the needs to their children. 

At least 90% of the money received by a STO must be awarded in tuition grants each year, and no more than 10% may be used by the STO for administrative costs. 

Give the Gift of Catholic Education:

Individuals wishing to help make it possible for children to receive a quality Catholic education can contribute to one of the funds that financially assist parents who are not able to pay all the tuition costs.

The funds are:

• Embracing the Future: A funding campaign designed to enhance the Scott County K-12 Catholic schools in three specific ways. If you would like to support the campaign objectives, you may download a pledge card at this time, or you can request to have a campaign representative contact you by emailing kingl@mail.assumption.pvt.k12.ia.us The campaign accepts gifts of cash, check, Mastercard/Visa, stocks, property, life insurance, bequests, and charitable remainder trusts.

• Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization (MVSTO): To make a gift to the Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization, fill out the donor information form below and return it to: MVSTO, P.O. Box 1597, Davenport, IA 52809-1597. You may also email it to MVSTO@mail.assumption.pvt.k12.ia.us.If you have any questions, please call (563) 326-5313 ext. 228.

• School Tuition Organization of Southeast Iowa (STO) Individuals who donate to the STO will receive a 65% state income tax credit, as well as federal deductibility when itemizing. For more information, contact Steve Roling at 563-244-9977.

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